2002 MAZDA MODEL MX-5 MIATA Owners Manual

3-15
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Fuel-Filler Lid
The remote fuel-filler lid release is
mounted in the center console.
To open the console, pull the release
catch.
To open the fuel-filler lid, pull up on the
remote fuel-filler lid release.
Fuel-Filler Lid and Cap
Fuel Spray:
Fuel spray is dangerous. Fuel can
burn skin and eyes and cause illness
when ingested. Fuel spray is released
when there is pressure in the fuel
tank and the fuel cap is removed too
quickly. When removing the fuel cap,
loosen the cap slightly and wait for
any hissing to stop. Then remove it.
Fuel Vapor:
Fuel vapor is dangerous. It could be
ignited by sparks or flames causing
serious burns and injuries. Before
refueling, stop the engine, and always
keep sparks and flames away from the
filler neck.
Always use only a genuine Mazda fuel
cap or an approved equivalent,
available at Authorized Mazda
Dealers. The wrong cap can result in a
serious malfunction of the fuel and
emission control systems. It may also
cause the check engine light in the
instrument cluster to illuminate.
WARNING
CAUTION
Remote
fuel-fillerlid release
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3-16
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Fuel-Filler Cap
To remove the filler cap, turn it
counterclockwise.
To replace the filler cap, turn it clockwise
until it clicks.
Make sure the fuel-filler cap is
tightened securely. The check engine
light comes on when the cap isn ’t
tightened securely. If the light remains
on (even after you have tightened the
cap securely, driven, and restarted the
engine several times), it may indicate a
different problem. Contact an
Authorized Mazda Dealer as soon as
possible.
Open
Close
CAUTION
J07L(02MY).book Page 16 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-17
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Convertible Top Precautions• Before lowering or raising the top, stop
in a safe place off the right-of-way and
park on a level surface.
• Make sure nothing is on the top or near
the back window when raising or
lowering the top.
Even small objects may interfere and
cause damage.
• When lowering the top, make sure
objects inside the vehicle aren
’t blown
away by the wind.
• Secure all loose objects inside when
driving with the top down.
Convertible Top
Top latch assembley Top stroage area
indshiled header
Top frame
Top covering Top latch
Unlock
button Top latch assembly
detail
Standing in a Moving Vehicle:
Standing in the vehicle when it
’s
moving is a dangerous way to ride.
During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously
injured or even killed.
Don ’t stand in the vehicle when its
moving.
WARNING
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3-18
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
•To help prevent burglary or vandalism
and to ensure that the passenger
compartment stays dry, close the top
securely and lock all doors when
leaving the vehicle.
• Don
’t drive through an automatic car
wash; it may damage the top.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
temperature is below 5 °C (41 ° F) ; this
will damage the top material.
• Don
’t lower the top when it ’s wet. If
the top dries while folded, it will
deteriorate and shrink.
• Lowering the top while it
’s wet can
also cause water to drip into the
passenger compartment.
• Don
’t raise or lower the top when the
wind is strong; the wind could damage
the top.

Lowering the Convertible Top
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Remove all objects in the top storage area. 5. Push the unlock buttons and fully
release the top latches.
6. Lift up on the front section of the top to release it from the windshield header.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Objects in the Storage Area:
Putting heavy or sharp objects in the
top storage area is dangerous.
During a sudden stop or collision,
they can become projectiles that
might hit and injure passengers.
Don’t place heavy or sharp objects in
the top storage area.
WARNING
Unlock button
Top latch
Windshield header
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3-19
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
7. Fold back the front and carefully lower it to the storage area, then put the
latches in the locked position.
Covering the Convertible Top
1. Cover the convertible top with the top
covering, stored in the trunk.
2. Feed the straps on the bottom of the covering through the lower links and
snap them into position.
3. Secure the top covering with the straps.
4. Affix the top covering fasteners.
5. Insert the top covering ’s rear edge into
the groove in the body molding.
Fa s t e n i n g M e c h a n i s m s :
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
WARNING
Never drive with the top partially
folded or uncovered. Otherwise the top
and/or the top covering could be
damaged.
Top covering
Link Strap
Top covering
Body
Molding
CAUTION
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3-20
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Raising the Convertible Top
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
firmly set the parking brake.
2. Lower the side windows, then turn off the ignition.
3. Pull down the sunvisors.
4. Undo the fasteners and straps.
5. Remove the top covering and store it properly in the trunk.
6. Unlock the top latches and open them fully.
7. Hold the top lift handle and pull the top up and forward until it ’s against the
windshield header. 8. After securely hooking the top latches
onto the windshield header, push each
latch up with the palm of your hand
until the lock buttons click and the
latches are locked.
Sunvisor Sunvisor
Windshield header
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
Fastening Mechanisms:
It is dangerous to place your hands or
fingers near the fastening
mechanism. Your hands or fingers
could be caught and injured by the
mechanism. Always keep your hands
and fingers away from the fastening
mechanisms when moving the top.
WARNING
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 20 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-21
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F
9. If the rear window defroster coupler is disconnected, connect the coupler.

Taking Care of the Top
Refer to convertible top maintenance
(page 8-46) for information on taking care
of the top.Make sure the top is securely locked
by pushing up on it.
Driving with the top unlocked could
damage the top.
NOTE
Make sure the top is securely locked
by pushing up on it. If it still sounds
loose (rattles) after being locked by the
top latches, have it inspected at an
Authorized Mazda Dealer.
CAUTION
Rear window defroster coupler
J07L(02MY).book Page 21 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM

3-22
Knowing Your Mazda
Doors and Locks
Form No. 8Q42-EA-01F

Detachable Hardtop Precautions
• Before removing or installing the
hardtop, stop in a safe place off the
right-of-way and park on a level
surface.
Detachable Hardtop
Top latch assembly
Side latch assemblyRear deck latch
Rear deck stud
Rear window defroster coupler
Standing in a Moving Vehicle:
Standing in the vehicle when it ’s
moving is a dangerous way to ride.
During a sudden maneuver or
collision you could be seriously
injured or even killed.
Don ’t stand in the vehicle when its
moving.
WARNINGHardtop and Rollover Accidents:
Rollover accidents on a hardtop
vehicle are dangerous. The hardtop is
not as strong as a regular steel roof.
Rollover accidents could dislodge or
crush the hardtop and cause serious
injuries or even death.
Always drive safely and observe the
speed limit.
WARNING
J07L(02MY).book Page 22 Monday, June 11, 2001 4:52 PM